Emergency heart op for Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph, 59, suffered a heart attack on board an easyJet plane which was due to take off from Bristol airport to Edinburgh. Cabin crew immediately contacted emergency services and he was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Sir Ranulph's wife Virginia was at his bedside.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "Sir Ranulph collapsed yesterday morning while at Bristol airport waiting to board a flight to Scotland.

"He received very prompt attention at the airport and was transferred to the Bristol Royal Infirmary yesterday morning.

"Last night he underwent an emergency heart by-pass. His condition is described as critical but stable. He is in intensive care."

An easyJet spokeswoman said that 130 passengers and five crew were on board the plane at the time. The flight was delayed for three hours.

She also praised the "quick-thinking" actions of the crew members.

Old Etonian Sir Ranulph's expeditions to remote parts of the globe have seen him achieve outstanding goals - and overcome potentially life-threatening situations in the process.

The hospital spokeswoman later said Sir Ranulph's condition remained unchanged.